How to smuggle drugs and phones into prison

BBC3 has gone behind bars in its latest documentary, Breaking into Prison, which explores what life is like inside cell blocks. In episode one, "Drug Smuggling", filmmaker Livvy Haydock explores the rise of contraband such as drugs, phones and weapons within prisons and analyses how this is possible.

You may assume that the black market system within prison walls is simple, but Haydock discovers an intricate network of people (and technology) that make up the illegal supply chain, from inmates that place orders via a smuggled handset to the mules - anything from drones, an inmate on short release or a “screw” (a prison officer). By examining the supply chain, which includes illegal phones to make the orders and drones to make the drop off, Haydock explores a wider theme of prison life - the role that technology plays in supporting black markets inside cell blocks.

One of the most revealing elements of this first episode was the value of contraband, with the risk of getting caught driving up the prices of smuggled goods. Notably, an iPhone could cost up to £1,000 while drug makers can sell off their produce at ten times its street value.

It's also worth noting Haydock’s bold approach during filming. In just under 20 minutes of footage we find the filmmaker in several compromising situations: in the passenger seat of a drug dealer’s car, bolting down residential streets with a substantial amount of cannabis placed beside her; inside a dealer’s home wrapping up cannabis; and occupying a dark and vacant tunnel with a man who’s “on tag” for kidnapping, among other offences.